Hull City are seeking to avoid a third straight defeat as they welcome bottom-of-the-table Bolton Wanderers to the KC Stadium.

The Trotters, however, are still looking for their first win away from home as they face a financial crisis off the pitch.

Hull City

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Tigers boss Steve Bruce had warned his side that defeats against Derby County and away to Manchester City in the League Cup should not derail their bid to regain their Premier League status for next season.

That was before Hull slumped to a 2-1 loss at Leeds United, which left them six points behind leaders Brighton & Hove Albion.

However, club legend Dean Windass has admitted that he is struggling to understand why fans are starting to worry about their promotion prospects.

The former striker may have a point, with Hull boasting the third-best defence in the Championship and the third-best attack.

City are also likely to have several players returning from injury in the coming weeks, including defender Michael Dawson.

However, another former player, Peter Swan, has urged Hull not to take Bolton lightly, suggesting that there are no easy games in the Championship.

Recent form: WWWDLL
Recent form (all competitions): WWDLLL

Bolton Wanderers

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While the Trotters will be hoping to give their bid to avoid relegation a timely boost with a win, their biggest task is merely to remain in existence.

On Thursday evening, the club were served with a winding-up petition by HM Revenue and Customs over an unpaid tax bill.

Dean Holdsworth, whose Sports Shield company are reportedly the leading candidates to buy out Bolton, was present at Wanderers' 3-2 defeat against Cardiff City on Saturday, but a deal is yet to be completed.

Such is the financial peril that the club find themselves in that 300 employees are said to be have been told that they could go unpaid before Christmas.

The ramifications of Bolton's ongoing off-the-field problems have led to suggestions from manager Neil Lennon that he might decide to leave the Lancashire outfit.

Worse still, Lennon's young forward Max Clayton could be out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on a hamstring tear.

Recent form: DLDLDL

Team News

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While Clayton is facing several months on the sidelines, the attacking duo of Zach Clough and Wellington Silva are edging closer to a return to action.

However, the trip to Hull is likely to come too soon for both players, with Gary Madine and Shola Ameobi likely to continue up front.

As mentioned, Michael Dawson is contention for a return to Hull's defence, while Robert Snodgrass is nearing a return to first-team football, after playing for the Under-21s in the last week.

Abel Hernandez should also feature, although Chuba Akpom is also a striking option for Bruce's side.

Hull City possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Elmohamady, Dawson, Odubajo, Robertson; Clucas, Huddlestone, Maguire, Livermore, Diame; Hernandez

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Amos; Vela, Dervite, Wheater, Casado; Moxey, Danns, Pratley, Feeney; Madine, Ameobi

Head To Head

The Tigers' overall record against Wanderers is poor, with only 11 wins in 51 matches, dating back to the first encounter in September 1908.

However, since their first promotion to the Premier League under the stewardship of Phil Brown they have fared somewhat better, having won two and lost two meetings with the Trotters.

Bolton's last win on Humberside came in that first Premier League campaign, courtesy of a solitary Matt Taylor goal.

We say: Hull City 2-1 Bolton Wanderers

With Bolton having picked up only two points from a possible 27 on the road and Hull losing just once at the KC Stadium, it is hard to see anything other than another defeat for the beleaguered Trotters.

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